Leaner & Meaner UK Range and Dealer Network

At the beginning of the month we went along to salubrious Milton Keynes for the launch of the official UK Commencal 2010 range. We’re pleased to report that Commencal have returned to doing what Commencal do best. We’re impressed.

What do we mean returned to doing what the do best?

Commencal have a very long history in the MTB scene. Back in the 90’s company owner and guiding light Max Commencal was the man behind the winningest team and brand of the age, Sunn. Everyone who was any one rode for them, or wanted to. The bikes they produced were a riders dream. Spec’d and built from a riders POV.

When Commencal was born in 2000 they kept the same ethos: Build the bikes we want to ride. In 2005 the Commencal brand become a household MTB name with the invention of the Contact System and the launch of the award winning Meta and Supreme range of bikes. As the decade progressed the brand got bigger, the range got even bigger and in some areas commercial pressure took over. For 2010 they’ve gone back to basics: Make bikes that ride and feel better than anything else out there and stop trying to hit “price points”.

As a result the range is leaner but so much meaner. With fewer bikes to spec at fewer price points Commencal have been able to focus on getting the range 100% perfect for the rider not the accountants. And it shows.

The Meta range

The most talked about addition to the Meta range is the new carbon frames. The debate about carbon being a good or bad material from which to build bikes will rage on forever, but the facts remain it’s light, stiffer and much better suited to the complex shapes modern MTB tubes need to be formed into. It’s also much more accurate in terms of alignments and tolerances. When news first leaked in 2006 of a carbon hardtail being planned for 2008, everyone knew it was only a matter of time before the Meta range got the treatment.

The flagship of the Meta range is the 5.5. and for 2010 it comes in several different forms. Gone are the traditional 5.5.1, 5.5.2 & 5.5.3, instead we have the Meta 5.5 Pro and the Team. Both will feature a full alu frame and in the UK will be priced at £1899.99 for the Pro and £2399.99 for the Team.  Next up is a the carbon with, yep, a full carbon Meta 5.5 frame and as much carbon finishing kit as possible! Whilst priced at £3499.99 when you see the full spec list, it’s a lot of bike for the money.

Design wise the frames remain very similar to 2009. Some grams have been shaved off the alu version here and there, but the biggest change is the drops out. Gone are the old style that sit in the frame drops out. The new ones are entirely self contained and attached via two bolts. These new dropouts feature across much of the range, and offer quite a few advantages over the old style, more on that later. Other notable changes to the 5.5 is the seat tube/top tube weld area. The pointy hydro formed part of the top tube at the join is now less pointy, and so less of a possible stress riser.

The Meta 6 range is reduced to one bike, simply called the Meta 6. It features a top end spec list and will be priced in the UK at £3299.99. The frame shares the same upgrades as the Meta 5.5.

In recognition that bike prices are considerably higher now than 2-3 years ago Commencal are expanding their frame offering. The Meta 5.5 will be available as a alu frame for £1199.99, a full carbon for £1999.99, a alu frame kit including bar, stem, post and fork for £1699.99 and a carbon frame kit including the same bits for £2699.99. The Meta 6 is available in frame form for £1799.99 for alu front end with carbon swingarm and a full carbon frame kit again including bars, stem, post and forks for £2799.99. So a lot of choice there then!

As usual a unique to the UK Meta 5.5 bike called the limited featuring a similar spec the the Team but with a carbon swingarm around Dec 09. Price will be £2799.99.

Bigger pictures of the entire range can be seen in the gallery.

Stock expected in the UK Sept 09. Initially supply will be limited thru a considerably smaller dealer network, to pre-order a new 2010 model contact your local Commencal dealer or if you wish to purchase from us, give us a call. 10% deposit secures any bike or frame. Interest free and low cost finance over 36 months available.

Part 2. The Supreme Range soon.